Alignment Angle Method and Apparatus for a Display

ABSTRACT

A light-emitting display system has an alignment mechanism to align or angle light-emitting tiles of the display. A first tile connects to a second tile by joining a first clamp portion on the first tile with a second clamp portion on the second tile. In an implementation, the alignment mechanism includes a replaceable angle adjustment insert that is inserted into at least one of the clamp portions, such as the first clamp portion. When the first and second clamp portions are joined, a surface of the second clamp portion presses against the insert and a desired angle between the first and second tile is formed. The insert can have any angle so that any desired angle can be formed between the first and second tiles.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/484,203, filed Jun. 13, 2009, and claims thebenefit of U.S. provisional patent applications 61/061,338; 61/061,347;61/061,353; 61/061,358; 61/061,365; and 61/061,369, all filed Jun. 13,2008, which are incorporated by reference along with all otherreferences cited in this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure generally relates to display units and particularly to adisplay unit including groups of light-emitting elements mounted to asupport structure such that the display may be configured in nonplanarconfigurations while retaining both strength and positional accuracy.The invention discloses improvements in the structure and manufacture ofsuch systems.

Display units for entertainment, architectural, and advertising purposeshave commonly been constructed of numbers of light-emitting elementssuch as LEDs or incandescent lamps mounted onto flat tiles. Thelight-emitting elements can be selectively turned on and off to createpatterns, graphics, and video displays for both informational andaesthetic purposes. These displays may be constructed as tiles or largepanels which are assembled in position for a specific entertainment showor event or as an architectural or advertising display.

When such a display is used for an event or theatrical production, it isdesirable that the display be easily removable, for example in betweenscenes of a play or theatrical event, as the needs of the productiondictate. Some systems use a tile based structure where a tile, typicallyaround 61 centimeters×61 centimeters (i.e., 2 feet×2 feet), can belifted by hand and positioned. Accurate positioning of the tiles may bea time consuming and complex process involving skilled personnel.

Displays of these types may be constructed at different resolutionswhere the spacing between the light-emitting elements can be varied. Itmay also be a requirement to change this spacing at different points onthe display. Further prior art systems, such as the VersaPixelmanufactured by Element Labs, use suspended light-emitting elements as aceiling or roof to an area. It would be advantageous to have a supportand installation structure for such a display that is simple to installand that facilitates use in differing resolutions and on differentplanes through a single easily adjustable structure.

Small errors in the positioning of the pixels within tiles and tileswithin a display can be cumulative and may lead to large errors inoverall pixel alignment accuracy. At the same time the display supportsystem must be strong enough to support a large area of display tilesand to withstand side loads from wind and weather if used outside. Thegoal of simultaneous strength, rigidity, and accuracy is one that is notachieved in prior art systems and the user typically has to accept areduced accuracy in order to achieve the required strength.

The disclosed invention solves these problems and discloses improvementsin the structure and manufacture of such display units so as to providea single comprehensive display system and support structure capable ofproviding both strength and rigidity in both planar and nonplanararrangements while also presenting a high level of accuracy for tile andpixel placement.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A light-emitting display system has an alignment mechanism to align orangle light-emitting tiles of the display. A first tile connects to asecond tile by joining a first clamp portion on the first tile with asecond clamp portion on the second tile. In an implementation, thealignment mechanism includes a replaceable angle adjustment insert thatis inserted into at least one of the clamp portions, such as the firstclamp portion. When the first and second clamp portions are joined, asurface of the second clamp portion presses against the insert and adesired angle between the first and second tile is formed. The insertcan have any angle so that any desired angle can be formed between thefirst and second tiles.

In a specific implementation, one or more edges of the tile itself arebeveled. This allows a “pivot point” between two tiles (i.e., first andsecond tiles) to be roughly in-line with the front of the LEDs. In thisspecific implementation, angling the two tiles does not add an extra gapbetween the panels or between pixels. The angle adjustment dowel isinterchangeable and it provides the “stop” that determines the actualangle between tiles or panels.

In a specific implementation, a light-emitting display system includes afirst light-emitting tile. The first light-emitting tile has a number oflight-emitting elements and is attached to a first connecting member anda first adjustment plate. The system includes a second light-emittingtile. The second light-emitting tile has a number of light-emittingelements and is attached to a second connecting member and a secondadjustment plate attached. The first connecting member is configured toconnect with the second connecting member such that the firstlight-emitting tile is disposed adjacent to the second light-emittingtile. The first adjustment plate is configured to abut the secondadjustment plate when the first connecting member connects with thesecond connecting member.

The first adjustment plate may be removably attached to the firstlight-emitting tile and the second adjustment plate may be removablyattached to the second light-emitting tile. The first connecting membermay be configured to removably connect with the second connectingmember. At least one of the first adjustment plate and the secondadjustment plate may be wedge shaped. At least one of the firstadjustment plate and the second adjustment plate may include surfacesthat are angled with respect to each other.

Furthermore, in an implementation, the first connecting member isattached adjacent an edge of the first light-emitting tile. In thisimplementation, the second connecting member is attached adjacent anedge of the second light-emitting tile. The first adjustment plate andthe second adjustment plate may be configured to be disposed between thefirst connecting member and the second connecting member when connected.

A side of the first light-emitting tile may be disposed adjacent to aside of the second light-emitting tile when the first connecting memberconnects with the second connecting member. The first adjustment platemay be configured to abut the second adjustment plate such that aviewing side of the display system is one of a substantially concave,planar, and convex surface. The first connecting member may include amale connecting member and the second connecting member may include afemale connecting member. The first connecting member may include a clipand the second connecting member may include a receptacle.

In an implementation, a light-emitting display system includes a firstlight-emitting tile. The first light-emitting tile has a number oflight-emitting elements. There is a first connecting member attachedadjacent to an edge of the first light-emitting tile, and a firstadjustment plate attached adjacent to the first connecting member. Thereis a second light-emitting tile. The second light-emitting tile has anumber of light-emitting elements. There is a second connecting memberattached adjacent to an edge of the second light-emitting tile, and asecond adjustment plate attached adjacent to the second connectingmember. There is a structural support having a first attachmentmechanism and a second attachment mechanism. In this implementation, thefirst connecting member is connected to the second connecting member.The first adjustment plate and the second adjustment plate abut eachother and are disposed between the first connecting member and thesecond connecting member. The first attachment mechanism attaches to thefirst light-emitting tile and the second attachment mechanism attachesto the second light-emitting tile.

The first adjustment plate and the second adjustment plate may abut eachother such that a viewing side of the display system is one of asubstantially concave, planar, and convex surface.

In an implementation, a method of manufacturing a display tile includesproviding the display tile having a viewing surface and a back surface,disposing a number of light-emitting elements on the viewing surface ofthe display tile, attaching a connecting member to an edge of the backsurface, where the connecting member is configured to connect withanother connecting member, and attaching an adjustment plate adjacent tothe connecting member.

The connecting member may include one of a male connecting member (e.g.,clip) and a female connecting member (e.g., receptacle) and may beconfigured to connect with the other of the male connecting member andthe female connecting member.

In a specific implementation, a device includes a first display tilehaving a plurality of light-emitting diodes on a display side of thetile and a plurality of angle adjustment receptacles on a rear side ofthe tile. The plurality of angle adjustment receptacles extend throughside edges of the first tile. There is a first angle adjustment dowelhaving a first surface and a first dowel projecting away from the firstsurface. When the first angle adjustment dowel is received by a firstangle adjustment receptacle, the first dowel points towards a first sideedge and a first angle is between the display side and the firstsurface. There is also a second angle adjustment dowel having a secondsurface and a second dowel projecting away from the second surface. Whenthe second angle adjustment dowel replaces the first angle adjustmentdowel, a second angle, different from the first angle, is between thedisplay side and the second surface.

Furthermore, there can be a third angle between the display side and thefirst side edge where the third angle is the same as the first angle.

In another implementation, there is a third angle adjustment dowel and asecond angle adjustment receptacle which receives the third angleadjustment dowel. The second and first angle adjustment receptaclesextend through the first side edge. The third angle adjustment dowel isidentical to the first angle adjustment dowel.

There may be a second display tile having a dowel receptacle formed on aside edge of the second display tile to receive the first dowel.

In a specific implementation, a method includes providing a display tilehaving a front surface and a back surface. The front surface includeslight emitting elements and a first side edge of the tile includes afirst side surface joining the front and back surfaces. The methodfurther includes providing at least one receptacle accessible from theback surface of the tile, where the receptacle extends to the first sideedge of the display tile. The method further includes providing a firstangle adjustment block that removably fits into the receptacle. When thefirst angle adjustment block is fitted in the receptacle, the firstangle adjustment block has a bottom edge that touches a bottom surfaceof the receptacle, a second side edge of first angle adjustment block tothe bottom edge is visible through a first opening at the first sideedge, and a surface of the a second side edge is not coplanar with thefirst side surface of the display tile.

The method may further include providing a second angle adjustment blockthat removably fits into the receptacle. When the second angleadjustment block is fitted in the receptacle, the second angleadjustment block has a bottom edge that touches a bottom surface of thereceptacle, a third side edge of second angle adjustment block to thebottom edge is visible through an opening at the first side edge, and asurface of the a third side edge is planar with the first side surfaceof the display tile.

The first angle adjustment block may have a stud extending from thesurface of the second side edge. The stud may have a firstcross-sectional shape, and the display tile can have a third edge,opposite of the first edge having a second opening with the firstcross-sectional shape.

The first opening at the first side edge of the tile may have adifferent shape than the second opening on the third edge of the tile.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent upon consideration of the following detailed descriptionand the accompanying drawings, in which like reference designationsrepresent like features throughout the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows four pixels in a video display.

FIG. 2 shows a portion of a modular video display.

FIG. 3 shows the tolerance and alignment variables in a modular videodisplay.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the present disclosure showing theseparate structural and alignment members of a video display.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the present disclosure showing anisometric view of a single tile of a video display.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the present disclosure showing the rearview of a single tile of a video display.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the present disclosure showing aconnection point in a planar open and unlocked position.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the present disclosure showing aconnection point in a planar closed and locked position.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the present disclosure showing aconnection point in a nonplanar open and unlocked position

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the present disclosure showing aconnection point in a nonplanar closed and locked position.

FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment of the present disclosure showing aconnection point in a nonplanar closed and locked position.

FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment of the present disclosure showing aconnection point in a nonplanar closed and locked position.

FIG. 13 shows a further embodiment of the present disclosure showing aconnection point in a nonplanar closed and locked position.

FIG. 14 shows a convex nonplanar display.

FIG. 15 shows a planar display.

FIG. 16A shows a concave nonplanar display.

FIG. 16B shows a top view of tile having beveled edges.

FIG. 16C shows a top view of a 0-degree angle adjustment dowel beinginserted into a first tile.

FIG. 16D shows a top view of the first tile interlocked with a secondtile using the 0-degree angle adjustment dowel.

FIG. 16E shows a top view of a positive-degree angle adjustment dowelbeing inserted into the first tile.

FIG. 16F shows a top view of the first tile interlocked with the secondtile using the positive-degree angle adjustment dowel.

FIG. 16G shows a top view of a negative-degree angle adjustment dowelbeing inserted into the first tile.

FIG. 16H shows a top view of the first tile interlocked with the secondtile using the negative-degree angle adjustment dowel.

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of a first angle adjustment dowel.

FIG. 18 shows another perspective view of the first angle adjustmentdowel.

FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of a second angle adjustment dowel.

FIG. 20 shows another perspective view of the second angle adjustmentdowel.

FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of a third angle adjustment dowel.

FIG. 22 shows another perspective view of the third angle adjustmentdowel.

FIGS. 23-24 shows perspective views of replacing an angle adjustmentdowel in a tile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows four pixels in a video display. Each pixel 101 a, 101 b,101 c, and 101 d may be constructed from 3 LEDs: red (R), green (G), andblue (B). The distance 103 and 102 between the center of a pixel 101 andthe horizontally or vertically adjacent pixels is referred to as thepixel pitch. The x-axis pixel pitch 103 may be the same as the y-axispixel pitch 102.

In a large display with a large number of pixels it is desirable thatthe pixel pitch is controlled within tight tolerances. Errors in thepixel pitch across the display may be apparent to the viewer andadversely affect the image quality.

Some more details on video display products can be found in U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. 12/415,627, filed Mar. 31, 2009; 12/484,200,12/484,201, 12/484,202, 12/484,205, and 12/484,206, all filed Jun. 13,2009; and U.S. provisional patent applications 61/072,597, filed Mar.31, 2008, and 61/170,887, filed Apr. 20, 2009, which are incorporated byreference.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of a modular video display 110 wheredisplay modules 112, 114, 116, and 118 are mounted adjacent to eachother to form a single display. Control of pixel alignment and pitchwithin a single module may be accomplished through such means asaccurate component placement on a printed circuit board within themodule housing. The modules may be constructed from plastic, and besufficiently small that the tolerances within the modules can be tightlycontrolled.

However the pitch 119 between the pixels on adjacent modules iscontrolled by the accurate mechanical alignment and spacing of theindividual modules. If this alignment and spacing is not accuratelymaintained, gaps may appear in the display which appear darker when thescreen is set to black. Additionally, banding can appear due toperceived luminance errors. For example, if the pixel pitch betweenmodules is greater than the pixel pitch within the module, then theeffective area subtended to the viewer by the pixels at the boundary islarger than those within the module. This increased effective areacauses the perceived luminance of the pixels at the boundaries of themodules to be lower than the pixels within the module, thereby causingan apparent band or stripe in the image.

In a typical prior art modular display screen, a number of displaymodules are mounted onto a larger tile and these tiles are connectedtogether to form the entire screen. The tiles are typically constructedfrom folded sheet metal, and are large compared to the modules. Thesetiles and their interconnection provide both the alignment of thedisplay modules and the structural support and strength to form themechanical infrastructure of the screen. If a screen is intended for anoutdoor application then it must further be able to withstand windloadings producing significant forces orthogonal to the screen surface.

FIG. 3 shows the tolerance and alignment variables in a modular videodisplay. A plurality of display modules 124 are assembled onto a supportstructure 126 to form tile 120 and a second plurality of display modules122 are assembled onto support structure 128 to form a second tile 122.Support structures 126 and 128 are interconnected to support and alignthe two tiles. The alignment of the display modules 124 on tile 120 withdisplay modules 122 on tile 122 are affected by multiple and cumulativetolerances: tolerance 2 between tile 120 and support structure 126,tolerance 4 between support structure 126 and support structure 128 andtolerance 6 between support structure 128 and tile 122.

In a prior art system such tolerances may accumulate and produce a totalpixel positional error as high as ±8.25 percent (total 16.5 percent)resulting in visible and objectionable luminance difference between thepixels at the tile boundaries and the pixels within the tile. Such a gapbetween tiles will be noticeable and detract from a cohesive look.Although here we are referring to tolerances in a single axis, it isalso important to note that these tolerances are present and importantin all 3 axes.

The prior art uses the support structure 126, 128 to provide both:

1. Alignment—ensuring that the tiles align to form a cohesive display;and

2. Structural Strength or Support—ensuring that the screen can supportitself safely as well as endure additional forces from wind loading inoutdoor situations.

Alignment accuracy is desirable for display quality but the largestructural parts needed to simultaneously achieve the strength goals mayhinder that accuracy. Achieving the tight tolerances needed with largestructural components can be difficult and expensive, and almost alwaysinvolves large amounts of time consuming and expensive machining.

Although many such displays are flat such that all tiles are planarthere are occasions when for either artistic or practical considerationsa nonplanar or curved screen would be advantageous. Such a screen may becurved in either or both of the horizontal and vertical planes. Priorart displays using tiles do not provide simple means for adjusting theabutment angle of tiles to produce such a display without using complexand expensive supports custom manufactured for each installation.

This invention improves on the prior art and discloses means forassembling a modular display which provide accurate alignment of thedisplay while allowing easy adjustment of the angle between tiles toform a nonplanar display.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the present disclosure showing theseparate structural and alignment members (i.e., alignment mechanism) ofa video display 150. Multiple display modules 124 are assembled into aplurality of tiles 120. In a specific implementation, tiles 120 connectto adjacent tiles through attachment mechanisms such as latches, clips,clamps, mounts, rotary-lock mounts (e.g., NCC rotary-lock mount), or anyother types of fastener which provide accurate and improved alignmentwithout having any requirement (or minimal requirements) to providesupport or strength to the system. Some specific examples of latchesinclude spring latches, slam latches, cam locks, Norfolk latches,Suffolk latches, cross bars, cabin hooks, bolt lock latches, compressionlatches, draw latches, over center draw latches, pull draw latches,rotary action latches, concealed draw latches, fixed grip cam latches,adjustable grip cam latches, vise action compression latches, lift andturn compression latches, lever latches, and self-adjusting latches.

Removing the strength requirement from these components allows cheaper(i.e., less costly), smaller, more accurately manufactured parts to beused and ensures highly accurate alignment. For example, less material(e.g., plastic and metal), less expensive materials, or both may be usedin making the attachment mechanisms because the attachment mechanisms donot have to provide structural support. In other words, in a specificimplementation, the attachment mechanisms are not load-bearing or do notrequire design computations for bearing specific loads such as windloads, the dead load (e.g., weight) of the tile or adjacent tiles,seismic loads, live loads, and so forth. In this specificimplementation, the attachment mechanisms do not carry the weight of thetile and do not resist or transfer significant forces. In anotherimplementation, the attachment mechanisms are designed to support theweight of the tile, but do not need to support other forces (e.g.,wind).

In these specific implementations, less material needs to be used and alighter-weighing tile can be produced as compared to tiles withattachment mechanisms that are designed to bear significant structuralloads. A lighter-weighing tile offers several benefits. For example, thetile is easier to transport, assemble, disassemble, configure,reconfigure, and replace.

In other implementations, the attachment mechanisms provide at leastsome structural support. For example, the attachment mechanisms mayprovide at least some support for bearing wind loads, the dead load ofthe tile, or both wind loads and dead loads. In this specificimplementation, the attachment mechanisms carry a portion of the load(e.g., wind load, dead load, or both). The remaining portion of the loadmay be carried by secondary structural support 152. Typically, theportion of the load carried by the attachment mechanisms will be lessthan the portion of the load carried by the secondary structuralsupport. For example, the attachment mechanisms may carry about 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, or 45 percent of the total load. Invarious other implementations, the portion of the load carried by theattachment mechanisms is the same as the load carried by the secondarystructural support. The portion of the load carried by the attachmentmechanisms is greater than the load carried by the secondary structuralsupport.

A single attachment mechanism for a tile may be able to support at leastthe weight of the tile divided by the number of attachment mechanismsattached to the tile. In a specific implementation, a tile has twoattachment mechanisms per side for a total of eight attachmentmechanisms and weighs about 5 kilograms. In this specificimplementation, a single attachment mechanism can support at least 0.62kilograms (e.g., 5 kilograms/8 attachment mechanisms=0.62 kilograms).

The tiles may be manufactured using injection molding or othertechniques which have inherently high levels of accuracy compared tosheet metal and machining techniques. Thus the video display will beaccurately aligned and cohesive in its appearance.

In a specific implementation, structural support and strength isprovided though a secondary structural support 152 which is connected tothe display tiles through attachment mechanisms 154 such that thealignment of the display tiles may remain uncompromised. The secondarystructural support 152 provides the strength required to support itselfand the display tile and to resist other applied forces such as windloading.

To ensure that any inaccurate alignment of structural support 152 doesnot compromise or affect the alignment of the display tiles 120 theinterconnecting members 154 are constructed so as to take up or nullifyany tolerance difference between the accurately aligned display tiles120 and the structural support 152. Alignment accuracies up to an order(or orders) of magnitude better than the prior art system can beprovided by the separation of the functions of alignment and support.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the present disclosure showing anisometric view of a single tile (or panel) 160 of a video display. Aplurality of pixels 161 are mounted to a display tile 160. Display tile160 is accurately constructed to very tight tolerances and may useinjection molding or other inherently accurate manufacturing technique.The strength requirement for tile 160 is significantly reduced becausein a specific implementation it supports itself and adjacent tileswithout having to provide the additional and significantly greaterstrength needed to endure the stresses put on the system by wind loadingwhen used outdoors.

Alignment between adjacent tiles 160 is provided through male connectingmembers, such as clips 162, and female connecting members, such asreceptacles 164. In this specific implementation, the connecting membersare located on a back side of the tile, but may instead or additionallybe located on a front side of the tile. Clips 162 and receptacles 164provide highly accurate alignment of adjacent tiles with a lessenedrequirement to transmit support or strength between those tiles. Thisallows the use of accurate construction to very tight tolerances whichmay use injection molding or any other inherently accurate manufacturingtechnique.

In this specific implementation, tile 160 has two connecting members oneach of its four sides. A side has connecting members of a first type(e.g., male connecting members) and an opposite side has connectingmembers of a second type (e.g., female connecting members), differentfrom the first type. A side has connecting members of a first type andan adjacent side has connectors of a first type or connectors of asecond type. For example, a top side includes a first set of two maleconnecting members. A bottom side includes a second set of two femaleconnecting members. A right-hand side includes a third set of two femaleconnecting members. A left-hand side includes a fourth set of two maleconnecting members.

In another implementation, a side has connecting members of a first typeand an opposite side has connecting members of the first type. It shouldalso be appreciated that a side can have any number of connectorsincluding no connectors, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 connectors, or more than 7connectors. A number of connectors on one side may be equal to ordifferent from a number of connectors on another side (e.g., oppositeside or adjacent side).

Furthermore, the connectors on a side may or may not be equally spaced.The connectors may be equally distributed along a length of the side.The connectors may be equally spaced from a midpoint of the side.

In this specific implementation, the tile has four sides and has theshape of a square. In this specific implementation, a length of a sideof the square is about 400 millimeters. However, the length can rangefrom about 50 millimeters to about 5000 millimeters including, forexample, 100, 200, 300, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 2000, 4000, ormore than 5000 millimeters. In some implementations, the length is lessthan 50 millimeters.

It should also be appreciated that the tile can have any number of sidesand can be in any shape. Some examples of other shapes includerectangles, triangles, circles, and ovals.

In a specific implementation, a tile is about 400 millimeters×400millimeters, has a thickness of which ranges from about 62 millimetersto about 70 millimeters, and has a physical resolution of about 11.1millimeters, 36×36 pixels, and 8100 pixels per meter squared. In anotherspecific implementation, a tile has the same physical size, but has aphysical resolution of about 16.7 millimeters, 24×24 pixels, and 3600pixels per meter squared. However, it should be appreciated that a tilecan have any size and any physical resolution depending upon theapplication.

Additionally, the tiles 160 may be fitted with separate angle adjustmentplates 167 such that the angle between adjacent tiles may be accuratelycontrolled and adjusted so that both planar and nonplanar displays maybe constructed. The tile 160 may have separate angle adjustment plates167 for both the horizontal and vertical planes such that a display maybe constructed that is independently and simultaneously planar ornonplanar in the vertical plane and planar or nonplanar in thehorizontal plane.

The angle adjustment plate 167 may be wedge shaped such that the angledsurface of the wedge abuts the clamp plate 168 on the adjacent tile.Angle adjustment plates 167 may be removable and replaceable and may beconstructed with a wide range of wedge angles facilitating varyingangles of display alignment. The wedge angles of the angle adjustmentplates may be either negative or positive allowing both convex andconcave nonplanar displays. The angle adjustment plate may be referredto as an insert, dowel, pin, key, or block. In a specificimplementation, the angle adjustment plate includes a label indicatingits angle, is color-coded such a specific color indicates its angle.

FIG. 6 shows a further illustration of an embodiment of the presentdisclosure showing the rear view of a single tile of a video display.Clips 162 on the edge of a tile may connect to receptacles 165 on theedge of the adjacent tile. When clip 162 is closed angle adjustmentplate 167 will be pulled into contact with clamp plate 168 on theadjacent tile. Clip 162 is designed such that it can accommodate a widerange of angles in angle adjustment plate 167 and still maintainaccurate and secure connection between the tiles.

Similarly clips 163 on a further the edge of a tile may connect toreceptacles 164 on the adjacent tile and angle adjustment plates 167will be pulled into contact with clamp plate 168. Strength and supportfor tile 160 is provided through center attachment point 166 whichconnects to the interconnecting member back to the structural support.Through such means a modular display of any size and shape may bequickly and accurately constructed.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the present disclosure showingdiagrammatically a connection point in a planar open and unlockedposition. In this embodiment the replaceable angle adjustment plate 167has a zero angle wedge so as to produce a planar display. As the twohalves of the clamp 164 and 169 are pulled together the angle adjustmentplate 167 abuts the clamp plate 168 such that clamp 164 remains paralleland planar with clamp 169. The closed and locked position of the planardisplay is illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the present disclosure showingdiagrammatically a connection point in a nonplanar open and unlockedposition. In this embodiment the replaceable angle adjustment plate 167has a nonzero angle wedge so as to produce a nonplanar display. As thetwo halves of the clamp 164 and 169 are pulled together the angleadjustment plate 167 abuts the clamp plate 168 such that clamp 164 isconstrained to a defined angle with clamp 169 forming a correspondingnonplanar alignment of the attached display tiles. The closed and lockedposition of the nonplanar display is illustrated in FIG. 10.

In yet further embodiments of the disclosure angle adjustment plates maybe fitted to both sides of the clamp. FIG. 11 shows such an embodimentof the present disclosure showing diagrammatically a connection point ina nonplanar closed and locked position. In this embodiment thereplaceable angle adjustment plate has nonzero angle wedges, 167 and170, fitted to both sides of the clamp so as to produce a nonplanardisplay.

The two halves of the clamp 164 and 169 are pulled together and thefirst angle adjustment plate 167 abuts the second angle adjustment plate170 such that clamp 164 is constrained to a defined angle with clamp 169forming a corresponding nonplanar alignment of the attached displaytiles. The angle formed by using two angle adjustment plates may bedifferent from that formed by using a single angle adjustment plate. Theuse of two equal angle adjustment plates further provides a nonplanarconfiguration which is symmetrical about the joint between adjacenttiles.

The angle adjustment plates (whether used singly or in pairs) mayprovide both convex or concave displays. FIG. 12 illustrates a furtherembodiment of the disclosure where the angle adjustment plates 167 and170 have a negative wedge angle such that the angle between clamp halves164 and 169 forms a concave nonplanar display as illustrated in FIG.16A, while the angle adjustment plates 167 and 170 shown in FIG. 11 havea positive wedge angle such that the angle between clamp halves 164 and169 forms a convex nonplanar display as illustrated in FIG. 14.

FIG. 13 illustrates yet another embodiment of the disclosure where angleadjustment plates 167 and 170 have a larger wedge angle providing a moreextreme convex display.

Although a small number of combinations of wedge plates and wedge plateangles have been illustrated the disclosure is not so limited and anycombination of positive, zero or negative angle wedge plates may be usedon either or both sides of the clamp joint without departing from thespirit of the disclosure.

The wedge plates may be designed to be easily removable and replaceableand may slide in to position, snap in to position, or both (e.g., firstwedge plate slides in to position and second wedge plate snaps in toposition), or may use another similar method to securely be retained bythe closure of the clamp.

FIGS. 14, 15, and 16A illustrate a convex nonplanar display (FIG. 14),planar display (FIG. 15) and concave nonplanar display (FIG. 16A). Ineach illustration the display 200 includes a plurality of tiles 201joined together with clamps and angle adjustment plates as described inthis application and is viewed from the side indicated. In thesefigures, the nonplanar shape of a display is shown only in thehorizontal plane. However the disclosure is not so limited and thedisplay may be simultaneously and independently configured to be planaror nonplanar in both the horizontal and vertical planes. Further, thosehaving ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in the aboveembodiments, though the tiles are shown as having a substantially planarshape, the present disclosure is not so limited. In other embodiments,the tiles may have a nonplanar shape, such as a convex or concave shape,without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In a specific implementation, a clip of a tile is designed to connect toa receptacle of an adjacent tile such that an angle between the tile andthe adjacent tile can be about 180 degrees (i.e., a flat or planardisplay as shown in FIG. 15), greater than 180 degrees (i.e., a convexdisplay as shown in FIG. 14), or less than 180 degrees (i.e., a concavedisplay as shown in FIG. 16A), depending on the specific angleadjustment plate selected.

In a convex display, as shown in FIG. 14, an angle between a tile and anadjacent tile can range from about 181 degrees to about 270 degrees.This includes, for example, 185, 190, 195, 200, 205, 210, 220, 230, 240,250, 260, more than 270 degrees, or less than 181 degrees.

In a concave display, as shown in FIG. 16A, an angle between a tile andan adjacent tile can range from about 90 degrees to about 179 degrees.This includes, for example, 100, 120, 130, 140, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170,175, more than 179 degrees, or less than 90 degrees.

One benefit of the angle adjustment plate or insert or dowel is that anyangle between two tiles can be created by simply replacing the angleadjustment insert. That is, the same tiles can be used to create aconvex display (FIG. 14), a flat display (FIG. 15), or a concave display(FIG. 16A). Different tiles do not have to be used depending upon thetype of display (i.e., curvature of display) desired. Significant costssavings can be realized because the insert is less costly to manufacturethan a tile. An insert, unlike a tile, does not have any electricalcomponents (i.e., LEDs, electrical wiring, circuitry, and so forth). Aninsert can be made wholly of one material such as plastic and isrelatively small compared to a tile. A tile does not have to bemanufactured according to a specific display type desired. Instead,different inserts can be used with the same tiles to create convex,flat, or concave display types.

FIG. 16B shows a top view of a specific implementation of a first tile1630 a. The tile includes a viewing side or front surface 1632, a backsurface 1634, opposite the front surface, and side surfaces 1636 whichjoin the front and back surfaces. One or more side surfaces (or edges)of the tile is beveled, slopped, slanted, inclined, diagonal, or tapered(i.e., tapers inwardly from the front surface). The one or more sidesurfaces is not perpendicular to the front surface. An angle 1638 abetween an x-axis 1640 a parallel to the front surface and a sidesurface 1642 is not 90 degrees. In this example, angle 1638 a is shownas being measured outside the tile and is greater than 90 degrees.However, as one of skill in the art would recognize, an angle to theside surface may instead be measured from the inside of the tile as anangle 1638 b which is supplementary to angle 1638 a. An angle to theside surface may instead be measured with respect to a y-axis 1640 bwhich passes through the front surface and is perpendicular, normal, ororthogonal to the front surface.

In this specific implementation, angle 1638 a can be any angle greaterthan about 90 degrees. This includes, for example, about 95, 100, 105,110, 115, 120, 125, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165 degrees, or morethan 165 degrees. In other implementations, the angle is 90 degrees. Theangle is less than 90 degrees.

The beveled side surfaces of the tile allows two or more tiles to beassembled into a curving display such that there are no gaps between thetiles. Generally, when the display is assembled into one or more of thedifferent shapes shown in FIGS. 14-16A, there will be no gaps betweenthe tiles or the gaps will be small such that the gaps will not bevisible to a person positioned at a typical distance away from thedisplay. Thus, the display will appear as a single, unified, seamlessdisplay as compared to a display made up of multiple small tiles.

FIG. 16C shows a top view of joining or interlocking first tile 1630 awith a second tile 1630 b using one or more angle adjustment dowels tocreate a planar display. In this specific implementation, a first angleadjustment dowel 1650 a is inserted into a side surface of the firsttile as indicated by arrow 1652. A second angle adjustment dowel 1650 bis inserted into a side surface of the second tile as indicated by arrow1654.

An angle measuring 0 degrees is between a y-axis 1641 b and the sidesurface of the first angle adjustment dowel. This angle adjustment dowelmay be referred to as a zero angle adjustment dowel. The y-axis passesthrough the front surface of the tile and is perpendicular to the frontsurface. In this specific implementation, an origin of the y-axis is ata point or at an edge of the angle adjustment dowel furthest away fromthe front surface of the display. However, it should be appreciated thatthe angle of the angle adjustment dowel may be measured using anyreference point.

FIG. 16D shows a top view of the interlocked first and second tilesusing the zero angle adjustment dowel. The dotted lines indicate theportions of the angle adjustment dowels within the tiles. The sidesurface of the first angle adjustment dowel abuts a side surface of thesecond angle adjustment dowel. The angle adjustment dowels act as a stopor other device for arresting or limiting the rotational motion of thetiles as they pivot about a pivot point 1660 between the two tiles. Thepivot point may indicate a corner or edge of the first tile that touchesa corner or edge of the second tile. The pivot point may indicate acorner or edge of the first tile that is nearest to a corner or edge ofthe second tile. In a specific implementation, the first and secondtiles are touching at the pivot point. In another implementation, thefirst and second tiles do not touch at the pivot point.

The angle of the angle adjustment dowels can be used to determine anangle 1662 between the two tiles. In this specific implementation, angle1662 is about 180 degrees as shown in the figure.

FIG. 16E shows a top view of interlocking first and second tiles 1630 aand 1630 b using a different angle adjustment dowel from the angleadjustment dowel used in FIGS. 16C-16D to create a nonplanar display.First angle adjustment dowel 1650 a has been replaced by a third angleadjustment dowel 1650 c which is being inserted into the side surface ofthe first tile. The third angle adjustment dowel has an angle 1664measured clockwise from y-axis 1641 b. This angle adjustment dowel maybe referred to as a positive angle adjustment dowel.

FIG. 16F shows a top view of the interlocked first and second tilesusing the third angle adjustment dowel. The angled surface of the thirdangle adjustment dowel abuts the surface of the second angle adjustmentdowel. An angle 1665 is between the first and second tiles. In thisspecific implementation angle 1665 is equal to 180 degrees plus angle1664. This display may be referred to as a nonplanar convex display.

FIG. 16G shows a top view of interlocking first and second tiles 1630 aand 1630 b using a different angle adjustment dowel from the angleadjustment dowels used in FIGS. 16C-16F to create a nonplanar display.First angle adjustment dowel 1650 a has been replaced by a fourth angleadjustment dowel 1650 d which is being inserted into the side surface ofthe first tile. The fourth angle adjustment dowel has an angle 1666measured counterclockwise from y-axis 1641 b. This angle adjustmentdowel may be referred to as a negative angle adjustment dowel.

FIG. 16H shows a top view of the interlocked first and second tilesusing the fourth angle adjustment dowel. The angled surface of thefourth angle adjustment dowel abuts the surface of the second angleadjustment dowel. An angle 1669 is between the first and second tiles.In this specific implementation, angle 1669 is equal to 180 degreesminus angle 1666. This display may be referred to as a nonplanar concavedisplay.

In a specific implementation, both the first and second tiles have angleadjustment dowels. In another implementation, the first tile has anangle adjustment dowel and the second tile does not have an angleadjustment dowel. In this specific implementation, angle adjustmentdowel of the first tile abuts a side surface of the second tile. Inanother implementation, neither the first tile nor the second tile hasan angle adjustment dowel. In this specific implementation, the sidesurface of the first tile abuts the side surface of the second tile.

It should be appreciated that an angle adjustment dowel can have anyangle. The angle of the angle adjustment dowel for the first tile may bethe same or different from the angle of the angle adjustment dowel forthe second tile.

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of a specific implementation of anangle adjustment dowel 1705 being inserted (as shown by arrow 1706) intoa channel (e.g., cavity or groove) 1707 of a clamp receptacle 1710. Theclamp receptacle is attached to a rear side of a tile (not shown). Thefigure also shows a dowel receptacle 1715 of a clamp clip 1720 which ispartially shown in the figure. The clamp clip is attached to a rear sideof an adjacent tile (not shown). The dowel receptacle receives a dowel1725 of the angle adjustment dowel when the tile and the adjacent tileare connected (i.e., when the clamp receptacle of the tile is joinedwith the clamp clip of the adjacent tile as indicated by arrows 1726).

A surface 1730 of the angle adjustment dowel from which the dowelprojects has an angle 1735. The angle is shown measured in acounterclockwise direction from an x-axis 1740 a where the x-axisindicates zero degrees and a y-axis 1740 b indicates 90 degrees. Thex-axis is parallel to a display side of the tile. The y-axis passesthrough the display side of the tile and is orthogonal to the displayside. As shown in this example, the angle is greater than 90 degrees andless than 180 degrees.

When the tile and the adjacent tile are joined surface 1730 of the angleadjustment dowel abuts a surface 1745 of the clamp clip. The result is adesired angle (or viewing angle) between a display side of the tile anda display side of the adjacent tile depending on angle 1735.

For example, angle 1735 of surface 1730 may be about 100 degrees (asmeasured from the x-axis) and surface 1745 may be at a 90 degree angle.When the two surfaces butt against each other the desired angle isformed between the display sides of the tile and adjacent tile. In thisexample, the desired angle is about 190 degrees and a convex display isformed as shown in FIG. 14.

Channel 1707 may be referred to as an angle adjustment dowel receptacle.These receptacles are formed on a rear side of the tile and extendthrough one or more side edges of the tile. As seen in the figure, whenthe angle adjustment dowel receptacle receives the angle adjustmentdowel, the dowel points towards the side edge. The angle adjustmentdowel can be replaced from a back side of the tile.

Dowel 1725 may be referred to as an extension, stud, projection, peg,rod, or pin. The dowel can have any cross-sectional shape such as acircle, rectangle, square, star, triangle, pentagon, and so forth.

FIG. 18 shows another perspective view of angle adjustment dowel 1705and surface 1730 from which dowel 1725 projects. The angle adjustmentdowel (or block) includes a bottom edge 1850 and a side edge 1852. Whenthe angle adjustment dowel is fitted into channel or receptacle 1707,the bottom edge touches a bottom surface 1854 of the receptacle. In thisspecific implementation, the bottom edge is visible through an opening1856 of a first side edge (or first side surface) of the tile. The firstside of the tile includes the first side surface joining a front surfaceand a back surface of the tile. In this specific implementation, surface1730 is not coplanar with the first side surface of the tile.

Angle adjustment dowel 1705 may be replaced with angle adjustment dowel2105 (FIGS. 21-22). In a specific implementation, angle adjustment dowel2105 also has a bottom edge that touches the bottom surface of thereceptacle. A side edge 2205 of angle adjustment dowel 2105 extends tothe bottom edge. The side edge is adjacent to the bottom edge. Whenangle adjustment dowel 2105 is fitted in the receptacle, side edge 2205is visible through the opening at the first side edge and a surface fromwhich the dowel of angle adjustment dowel 2105 projects from is planarwith the first side surface of the tile.

The tile may further include a second side edge, opposite of the firstedge. The second side edge may have a second opening. The second openingmay have a cross-sectional shape that is the same as (or different from)a cross-sectional shape of the dowel.

As shown in this example, the dowel projects orthogonally from surface1730 or is normal to surface 1730. However, in other implementations,the dowel may project at a different angle from surface 1730.

In a specific implementation, the angle adjustment dowel includes fourfingers (e.g. guides, tabs, projections) 1810. The fingers are receivedby finger receptacles 1815 of clamp receptacle 1710. These fingers helpensure that the angle adjustment dowel is properly inserted into theclamp receptacle and help ensure that the angle adjustment dowel doesnot accidentally move or shift. In another implementation, the fingersare instead or additionally formed on the clamp receptacle and thefinger receptacles are instead or additionally formed on the angleadjustment dowel.

The angle adjustment dowel may be further secured to the clampreceptacle using a retaining mechanism incorporated into the clampreceptacle. The retaining mechanism may include components such as aspring, tab, notch, and lever. The user can push the lever against theforce of the spring which moves a tab and allows the angle adjustmentdowel to slide into the clamp receptacle. When the lever is released thespring may urge the tab into a notch in the angle adjustment dowel. Theangle adjustment dowel is then locked into place so that it can notaccidentally fall out. The user can remove the angle adjustment dowel byagain pushing the lever to urge the tab out of the notch. The angleadjustment dowel is now unlocked and can be pulled from the clampreceptacle. For example, the user can insert their finger into a portionof the channel, pinch the angle adjustment dowel, and pull the angleadjustment dowel out. A new angle adjustment dowel can then be insertedby following a reverse procedure.

The dowel and dowel receptacle can be used to help guide and align theinterlocking of the tile and the adjacent tile. In this specificimplementation, the dowel and dowel receptacle have circular crosssections. However, it should be appreciated that they can have anycross-sectional shape (e.g., square, rectangle, triangle, and so forth).Furthermore, there can be any number of dowels and any number of dowelreceptacles. The dowel can be located anywhere on surface 1730. Thedowel receptacle can be located anywhere on surface 1745.

The dowel and dowel receptacle are merely one example of a structuralinterface between the clamp receptacle and clamp clip which interlock atile and an adjacent tile. In various other implementations, thestructural interface may instead or additionally include a tongue andgroove interface, a dovetail mating (i.e., a flaring tenon and a mortiseinto which it fits forming an interlocking joint), a ball and socketinterface, and so forth.

In a specific implementation, the angle adjustment dowel is accessiblefrom a back side of the tile via the adjustment receptacle. In thisspecific implementation, the receptacle is visible on the back side andextends along a portion of the back side to a side surface of the tile(i.e., through an opening on the side surface).

In another implementation, the angle adjustment dowel is insteadaccessible from the side surface of the tile. In this specificimplementation, the angle adjustment dowel is not accessible from theback side. Rather, in this specific implementation, the angle adjustmentdowel is inserted through the opening in the side surface of the tile.The receptacle may or may not be visible from the back side of the tile.

Angle 1735 of the angle adjustment dowel can have any measurement sothat any angle can be formed between the tile and an adjacent tile.

FIG. 19 shows a perspective view an angle adjustment dowel 1905 beinginserted into clamp receptacle 1710. This angle adjustment dowel issimilar to the angle adjustment dowel shown in FIGS. 17-18, but thisangle adjustment dowel has a different angle. This angle adjustmentdowel has an angle 1935 which as shown in the figure is less than 90degrees as measured from x-axis 1740 a.

In this specific implementation, when clamp receptacle 1710 of the tileis interlocked with clamp clip 1720 of the adjacent tile a concavedisplay (FIG. 16A) is formed.

FIG. 20 shows another perspective view of angle adjustment dowel 1905.

FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of an angle adjustment dowel 2105. Thisangle adjustment dowel is similar to the angle adjustment dowels shownin FIGS. 17-18 and 19-20, but this angle adjustment dowel has adifferent angle. This angle adjustment dowel has an angle 2035 which asshown in the figure is about 90 degrees as measured from x-axis 1740 a.

In this specific implementation, when the clamp receptacle of the tileis interlocked with the clamp clip of the adjacent tile a planar display(FIG. 15) is formed.

FIG. 22 shows another perspective view of angle adjustment dowel 2105.

The angle adjustment dowels shown in FIGS. 17-22 can have any angle.Depending on what type of display a user desires to create the user canselect one or more angle adjustment dowels having a specific angle. Theuser can create planar, convex, or concave displays using the sametiles, but different angle adjustment dowels for each display type.Furthermore, combinations of different display types can be created.Using the tiles and angle adjustment dowels, displays resembling, forexample, a bowl, pan, ball, sphere, ripples, or waves can be created.For example, a first portion of a display may have a concave arrangementof tiles. A second portion of the display may have a convex arrangementof tiles.

A user assembles a video display using one or more tiles such as shownin FIG. 5. The user can create any desired angle or curvature betweentwo tiles by selecting the appropriate angle adjustment dowel andreplacing (i.e., swapping or substituting) an old angle adjustmentdowel. A representative flow for changing the angle between two tiles isoutlined in steps 1 to 4 below.

1. Unlock and remove a tile of the display.

2. Remove a first angle adjustment dowel from the tile.

3. Insert a second angle adjustment dowel into the tile.

4. Place the tile back into the display.

In step 1, the tile is unlocked and removed from the display. Forexample, the tile may be unlocked by unclamping a first clamp portion ofthe tile from a second clamp portion of an adjacent tile. The tile canthen be removed or pulled from the display.

In step 2, a first angle adjustment dowel is removed from the tile. Thefirst angle adjustment dowel may be removed by pulling the first angleadjustment dowel from a cavity (e.g., hole, slot, opening, space,hollow, aperture, notch, or groove) in the first clamp portion.

FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of removing first angle adjustmentdowel 2305 from a rear (or back or nondisplay) side 2310 of a tile 2315.A face or surface 2320 of the first angle adjustment dowel may beperpendicular to a front or display side 2325 of the tile or may be atsome other angle. In this specific implementation, the display side lieson a first plane. Surface 2320 lies on a second plane. The first andsecond planes intersect at a 90-degree angle. Depending on one'sperspective, a first angle 2330 of the first angle adjustment dowel maybe measured from the display side to surface 2320.

In step 3, a second angle adjustment dowel is inserted into the tile,i.e., inserted into the now empty cavity of the first clamp portion.

FIG. 24 shows a perspective view of inserting the second angleadjustment dowel into the tile. A second angle 2430 of the second angleadjustment dowel is measured from the display side to a surface 2440 ofthe second angle adjustment dowel. As seen in FIGS. 23-24, the secondangle is different from the first angle.

The inserts, cavity, or both may have a keying feature to help ensurethat the insert is inserted properly into the cavity. In animplementation, if the user attempts to place an insert into the cavity,but the insert is oriented incorrectly (e.g., upside down), the keyingfeature prevents the incorrectly oriented insert from being placed intothe cavity. Furthermore, the insert, cavity, or both may have a lockingfeature so that the insert does not accidentally fall out when the tileis removed. The locking feature may be a magnet, a snap-fit mechanismbetween the insert and cavity, friction between the surfaces of thecavity and insert, and the like.

In step 4, the tile is placed back into the display.

Although the steps above are listed in a specific order, the steps maytake place in any order, as desired and depending upon the specificapplication. There may be additional or other steps, which may replaceone or more of the above steps. Certain steps may be repeated. Forexample, the tile may have two or more clamps that each need to beunlocked. Some of the two or more clamps may each have an angleadjustment dowel to be replaced. Some of the two or more clamps may havethe same angle adjustment dowel (i.e., having same angles). Some of thetwo or more clamps may have different angle adjustment dowels (i.e.,having different angles).

Referring now to FIGS. 23-24, a third angle 2350 is measured from thedisplay side to a side (or side edge) 2355 of the tile.

In a specific implementation, a tile includes a display side and a side.The side is at a third angle with respect to the display side. The tilefurther includes a first angle adjustment dowel. The first angleadjustment dowel is at a first angle with respect to the display side.In this specific implementation, the first angle is the same as thethird angle. In another implementation, the first angle is differentfrom the third angle.

A method includes replacing the first angle adjustment dowel with asecond angle adjustment dowel. The second angle adjustment dowel is at asecond angle with respect to the display side. In this specificimplementation, the second angle is different from the first angle. Thesecond angle is different from the third angle.

In a specific implementation, the angle adjustment dowel in the tile ispushed or pulled towards the adjacent tile when the tile and adjacenttile are joined. In this specific implementation, the angle adjustmentdowel is pulled by the force of the clamp clip or hook on the adjacenttile. The angle adjustment dowel in the tile slides (e.g., slides on atrack) towards the adjacent tile so that the angle adjustment dowel canbutt up against the adjacent tile; and so that the dowel receptacle inthe adjacent tile can receive the dowel. Thus, in this specificimplementation, the angled surface of the angle adjustment dowel (or aportion of the surface) will protrude past the side of the tile in orderto meet a side of the adjacent tile. Similarly, the dowel (or a portionof the dowel) will protrude past the side of the tile in order to passinto the dowel receptacle in the adjacent tile. The clamp is thenlocked.

In this specific implementation, the angle adjustment dowel is under theforce of a spring. The spring urges the angle adjustment dowel away fromthe adjacent tile. When the tile is disconnected from the adjacent tilethe spring, i.e., clamp is unlocked, the spring causes the angleadjustment dowel to retract into the tile (i.e., away from the adjacenttile). The angle adjustment dowel may retract at such a distance intothe channel of the tile that the dowel, the surface from which the dowelprojects, or both do not project past the side of the tile. This canhelp prevent the angled adjustment dowel from snagging (e.g., preventthe dowel from snagging on a wire).

Thus, in a first position, the angle adjustment dowel of a tile does notproject past a side of the tile. In a second position, a portion of theangle adjustment dowel projects past the side of the tile. The portionmay project or be received by a receptacle (i.e., dowel receptacle) inan adjacent tile.

Referring now to FIG. 24, a distance D1 indicates a length of the tile.A distance D2 indicates a width of the angle adjustment dowel or channelin the clamp portion that receives the angle adjustment dowel. Adistance D3 indicates a position of the angle adjustment dowel (orchannel) along the length of the tile. As shown in the figure, distanceD3 is measured from an edge (e.g., top edge) of the tile to the angleadjustment dowel.

In a specific implementation a ratio of D2 to D1 is about 1:22.6. Otherexamples of the ratio include 1:15, 1:16, 1:17, 1:18, 1:19, 1:20,1:21.5, 1:21.6, 1:21.7, 1:21.8, 1:21.9, 1:22, 1:22.1, 1:22.2, 1:22.3,1:22.4, 1:22.5, 1:22.7, 1:22.8, 1:22.9, 1:23, 1:23.1, 1:23.2, 1:23.3,1:23.4, 1:23.5, 1:24, 1:25, 1:26, 1:27, 1:28, 1:29, and 1:30. A wider D2offers more support and a greater area of surface contact between theangle adjustment dowel of a tile and the surface of an adjacent tile ascompared to a narrower D2. A greater area of surface contact between thetiles can create a stiffer display.

However, a wider D2 (i.e., wider angle adjustment dowel) may requireadditional material as compared to a narrower D2. A narrower D2 (i.e., anarrower angle adjustment dowel) requires a smaller or narrower channelin the tile (or clamp portion). This can provide additional room in thetile for the electrical components (e.g., wiring) of the tile.

In a specific implementation, the angle adjustment dowel is positionedabout one fifth down from the edge of the tile. That is, D3 is about 20percent of D1, but can range from about 10 percent of D1 to about 50percent of D1 (i.e., halfway down the tile). For example, D3 may beabout 15, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 percent, or more than 50 percent of D1. Inother implementations D3 is less than 10 percent of D1. However, theangle adjustment dowel may be positioned anywhere along the side of thetile. For example, the angle adjustment dowel may be positionedone-fourth, one-third, or one-half (i.e., in the middle) down the sideof the tile.

In a specific implementation, a video display includes a plurality oftiles. A first angle is between a first tile and a second tile. A methodto change the first angle includes removing the first tile from thedisplay. Removing a first angled insert having a second angle from thefirst tile. Inserting a second angled insert having a third angle,different from the second angle, into the first tile. Placing the firsttile back into the display. A fourth angle, different from the firstangle, is now between the first and second tiles.

A tile can have any number of angled inserts on any side of the tile andhave any angle. This allows, for example, the creation of a videodisplay that curves in multiple directions or dimensions such as asphere (or a portion of a sphere) or a bowl (or a portion of a bowl). Auser can change one or more angled inserts of a tile to vary thecurvature or degree of curvature of the video display. A display canhave a varying degree of curvature. For example, a degree of curvaturefor a portion of the display may be different from a degree of curvaturefor another portion of the display. In other words, the display can haveincreasing radii, decreasing radii, or both.

Depending upon the application, some angled inserts of a tile may not bereplaced while other angled inserts of the tile are replaced. An angledinsert of a tile may be switched from one side of the tile to anotherside (e.g., opposite side or adjacent side) of the tile.

In a specific implementation, method for changing a curvature of a videodisplay having a plurality of tiles includes removing a tile from thedisplay. The tile includes a first plurality of angled inserts. A firstinsert having a first angle is located on a first side (e.g., right-handside) of the tile. A second insert having a second angle is located onthe first side. The first and second angles may be the same ordifferent. The method includes replacing the first insert with a thirdinsert having a third angle and replacing the second insert with afourth insert having a fourth angle. The third and fourth angles may bethe same or different. The first angle may be the same or different fromthe third angle. The second angle may be the same or different from thefourth angle.

The second insert may instead be located on a second side (e.g.,left-hand side) of the tile. The second side of the tile may be oppositethe first side or adjacent to the first side (e.g., bottom side or topside).

In a specific implementation, angled inserts of two or more tiles of adisplay are changed to change the curvature of the display. The methodincludes removing a first tile from the display. Replacing a firstangled insert having a first angle in the first tile with a secondangled insert having a second angle, different from the first angle.Removing a second tile from the display. Replace a third angled inserthaving a third angle in the second tile with a fourth angled inserthaving a fourth angle, different from the third angle. Inserting thefirst and second tiles back into the display.

Generally, other tiles in the display adjacent to the tiles to beremoved so that their angled inserts can be replaced can remain in situ.

In a specific implementation, a tile has two angle adjustment dowels onone side and two angle adjustment dowels on an adjacent side. However, atile can have any number of angle adjustment dowels. A tile can haveangle adjustment dowels having a first angle on a first side of thetile. The tile can have angle adjustment dowels having a second angle ona second side of the tile. The first and second angles may be the sameor different. The first side may be opposite the second side. Forexample, the first side may be a top side and the second side may be abottom side. The first side may be a left-hand side and the second sidemay be a right-hand side.

The first and second sides may be adjacent. For example, the first sidemay be a top side and the second side may be a right-hand side or aleft-hand side.

Furthermore, in another specific implementation, angle adjustment dowelsare received by both the clamp receptacle and the clamp clip. The angleadjustment dowel received by the clamp receptacle may have an angle thatis different or the same as the angle of the angle adjustment dowelreceived by the clamp clip. An angle adjustment dowel may be received bythe clamp clip, but not the clamp receptacle.

In various implementations, the angle adjustment dowels are includedwith the tiles when the tiles are purchased. The angle adjustment dowelsare not included with the tiles and must be purchased separately. Theangle adjustment dowels are included in a kit of angle adjustmentdowels. The kit may be purchased separately from the tiles.

In a specific implementation, first and second angle adjustment dowelsare fitted to first and second halves (e.g., sides, parts, or portions)of a clamp, respectively, have supplementary angles or angles such thatwhen the first and second halves of the clamp are pulled together, aplanar display is formed as shown, for example, in FIG. 8. In thisspecific implementation, the first and second angle adjustment dowelscan have any angle so long as the first and second tiles, when broughttogether, form a 180 degree angle with respect to the viewing or displayside. For example, the first and second angle adjustment dowels can havethe same angle such as 90 degrees (e.g., 90 degrees+90 degrees=180degrees). The first and second angle adjustment dowels can havedifferent angles, such as 45 degrees and 135 degrees (e.g., 45degrees+135 degrees=180 degrees).

In another implementation, first and second angle adjustment dowels haveangles such that when the first and second halves of the clamp arepulled together, an angle between the first and second tile is greaterthan 180 degrees as shown, for example, in FIGS. 10 and 14 to produce aconvex nonplanar display. For example, the first angle adjustment dowelmay have a 90-degree angle and the second angle adjustment dowel mayhave a 95-degree angle (e.g., 90 degrees+95 degrees=185 degrees which isgreater than 180 degrees).

In another implementation, the first and second angle adjustment dowelshave angles such that when the first and second halves of the clamp arepulled together, an angle between the first and second tiles is lessthan 180 degrees as shown, for example, in FIGS. 12 and 16A to produce aconcave nonplanar display. For example, the first angle adjustment dowelmay have a 90-degree angle and the second angle adjustment dowel mayhave an 85-degree angle (e.g., 90 degrees+85 degrees=175 degrees whichis less than 180 degrees). It should be appreciated that the first andsecond angle adjustment dowels can have any angle (e.g., 0, 5, 10, 15,20, 25, 35, 45, 60, 90, or 135 degrees, and so forth). The angles may besupplementary as discussed or complementary (i.e., sum of their measuresis 90 degrees). An angle can be acute (i.e., less than 90 degrees) orobtuse (i.e., between 90 degrees and 180 degrees).

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited numberof embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of thisdisclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised whichdo not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein.Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by theattached claims.

This description of the invention has been presented for the purposes ofillustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise form described, and manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the teachingabove. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the invention and its practical applications.This description will enable others skilled in the art to best utilizeand practice the invention in various embodiments and with variousmodifications as are suited to a particular use. The scope of theinvention is defined by the following claims.

1. A light-emitting display system comprising: a first light-emittingtile having a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed thereon, afirst connecting member attached thereto, and a first adjustment plateattached thereto; a second light-emitting tile having a plurality oflight-emitting elements disposed thereon, a second connecting memberattached thereto, and a second adjustment plate attached thereto; andwherein the first connecting member is configured to connect with thesecond connecting member such that first light-emitting tile is disposedadjacent to the second light-emitting tile; and wherein the firstadjustment plate is configured to abut the second adjustment plate whenthe first connecting member connects with the second connecting member.2. The display system of claim 1 wherein the first adjustment plate isremovably attached to the first light-emitting tile, wherein the secondadjustment plate is removably attached to the second light-emittingtile.
 3. The display system of claim 1 wherein the first connectingmember is configured to removably connect with the second connectingmember.
 4. The display system of claim 1 wherein at least one of thefirst adjustment plate and the second adjustment plate is wedge shaped.5. The display system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the firstadjustment plate and the second adjustment plate comprise surfaces thatare angled with respect to each other.
 6. The display system of claim 1wherein the first connecting member is attached adjacent an edge of thefirst light-emitting tile, wherein the second connecting member isattached adjacent an edge of the second light-emitting tile.
 7. Thedisplay system of claim 6 wherein the first adjustment plate and thesecond adjustment plate are configured to be disposed between the firstconnecting member and the second connecting member when connected. 8.The display system of claim 1 wherein a side of the first light-emittingtile is disposed adjacent to a side of the second light-emitting tilewhen the first connecting member connects with the second connectingmember.
 9. The display system of claim 1 wherein the first adjustmentplate is configured to abut the second adjustment plate such that aviewing side of the display system is one of a substantially concave,planar, and convex surface.
 10. The display system of claim 1 whereinthe first connecting member comprises a male connecting member and thesecond connecting member comprises a female connecting member.
 11. Thedisplay system of claim 10 wherein the first connecting member comprisesa clip and the second connecting member comprises receptacle.
 12. Alight-emitting display system comprising: a first light-emitting tilehaving a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed thereon, a firstconnecting member attached adjacent to an edge of the firstlight-emitting tile, and a first adjustment plate attached adjacent tothe first connecting member; a second light-emitting tile having aplurality of light-emitting elements disposed thereon, a secondconnecting member attached adjacent to an edge of the secondlight-emitting tile, and a second adjustment plate attached adjacent tothe second connecting member; and a structural support having a firstattachment mechanism and a second attachment mechanism; wherein thefirst connecting member is connected to the second connecting member;wherein the first adjustment plate and the second adjustment plate abuteach other and are disposed between the first connecting member and thesecond connecting member; and wherein the first attachment mechanismattaches to the first light-emitting tile and the second attachmentmechanism attaches to the second light-emitting tile.
 13. The displaysystem of claim 12 wherein the first adjustment plate and the secondadjustment plate abut each other such that a viewing side of the displaysystem is one of a substantially concave, planar, and convex surface.14. A method of manufacturing a display tile comprising: providing thedisplay tile having a viewing surface and a back surface; disposing aplurality of light-emitting elements on the viewing surface of thedisplay tile; attaching a connecting member to an edge of the backsurface, wherein the connecting member is configured to connect withanother connecting member; and attaching an adjustment plate adjacent tothe connecting member.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the connectingmember comprises one of a male connecting member and a female connectingmember and is configured to connect with the other of the maleconnecting member and the female connecting member.
 16. The displaysystem of claim 15 wherein the male connecting member comprises a clipand the female connecting member comprises receptacle.
 17. A devicecomprising: a first display tile having a plurality of light-emittingdiodes on a display side of the tile and a plurality of angle adjustmentreceptacles on a rear side of the tile, the plurality of angleadjustment receptacles extending through side edges of the first tile; afirst angle adjustment dowel having a first surface and a first dowelprojecting away from the first surface, wherein when the first angleadjustment dowel is received by a first angle adjustment receptacle, thefirst dowel points towards a first side edge and a first angle isbetween the display side and the first surface; and a second angleadjustment dowel having a second surface and a second dowel projectingaway from the second surface, wherein when the second angle adjustmentdowel replaces the first angle adjustment dowel, a second angle,different from the first angle, is between the display side and thesecond surface.
 18. The device of claim 17 wherein a third angle isbetween the display side and the first side edge, and the third angle isthe same as the first angle.
 19. The device of claim 17 comprising: athird angle adjustment dowel; and a second angle adjustment receptaclewhich receives the third angle adjustment dowel, wherein the second andfirst angle adjustment receptacles extend through the first side edge,and the third angle adjustment dowel is identical to the first angleadjustment dowel.
 20. The device of claim 17 comprising a second displaytile having a dowel receptacle formed on a side edge of the seconddisplay tile to receive the first dowel.
 21. A method comprising:providing a display tile having a front surface and a back surface,where the front surface comprises light emitting elements and a firstside edge of the tile comprises a first side surface joining the frontand back surfaces; providing at least one receptacle accessible from theback surface of the tile, wherein the receptacle extends to the firstside edge of the display tile; and providing a first angle adjustmentblock that removably fits into the receptacle, wherein when the firstangle adjustment block is fitted in the receptacle, the first angleadjustment block has a bottom edge that touches a bottom surface of thereceptacle, a second side edge of first angle adjustment block to thebottom edge is visible through a first opening at the first side edge,and a surface of the second side edge is not coplanar with the firstside surface of the display tile.
 22. The method of claim 21 comprising:providing a second angle adjustment block that removably fits into thereceptacle, wherein when the second angle adjustment block is fitted inthe receptacle, the second angle adjustment block has a bottom edge thattouches a bottom surface of the receptacle, a third side edge of secondangle adjustment block to the bottom edge is visible through an openingat the first side edge, and a surface of the third side edge is planarwith the first side surface of the display tile.
 23. The method of claim21 wherein the first angle adjustment block has a stud extending fromthe surface of the second side edge, the stud having a firstcross-sectional shape, and the display tile having a third edge,opposite of the first edge having a second opening with the firstcross-sectional shape.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein the firstopening at the first side edge of the tile has a different shape thanthe second opening on the third edge of the tile.